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Sunday, January 9, 2011

in terms of the price in the SHFiguarts latest vehicle series for Kamen Rider Double - "The Turbuler Unit"; this is what you get when Japanese does the naming.

It arrived in an inconspicuous carton box packaging but collectors know what's the content with the text on the box.

The packaging of the Turbuler Unit is an all black and white scheme. I find it classy and noticed the "Tamashii Collectors' Shop" sign at the lower left corner. That explains the price (didn't know prior to pick up).

Back of the packaging is the same colour scheme with a stand down mode of the unit. By the way, it does not come with Hardboiler.

The limited edition notice

Everything is housed in a single tray with 6 parts altogether and in my opinion; cheap plastics. Very bootleg kind of feel.

Pre-assembly

You will need to own Hardboiler to attach the unit together to form the Turbuler mode for flight.

HeatJoker taking it for a spin

Verdict: Nothing spectacular about the Turbuler unit except if you REALLY want it. The price-tag for this is way too high and unjustifiable even by my standards.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

was the Hot Toys Iron Man Mark IV initially. I guess I reached a stage at the end of 2010 feeling worn out from toy collecting. "Growing older thus more mature?" "Not so childish anymore?" Come on! I'm way beyond that kind of answers. The reason is plain and simple. This guys are taking too much space at home and I have serious problem housing them.

Front box art

Anyway, lucky for me I managed to get this limited piece from the Iron Man 2 movie. Mark IV is somewhat similar to Mark III in design but of course they have their differences.

Rear box art

The packaging is the same as War Machine and that really is disappointing but it just make the decision to discard the packaging later easier.

Slide the box art cover out and you get the main box that houses 2 trays for Mark IV. The first tray has the figure, the extra hands, the flight flaps, Tony's head with shades and the donut with a box. The second tray has the forearm missiles and part of the display stand. While the bottom of the box is the standard HT display stand and the LED display stand.

The figure is what you would expect from HT and details are what they are good in. Like the War Machine, this is a good 'Museum' display piece and will look good in the toy display shelf.

The gimmicks are kept pretty much the same with all the LED lights and removing the batteries is a must if you want your Mark IV to be in good condition.

The Tony Stark head in the packaging along with the donut is for the scene where Tony was sitting in a huge Donut sign taking a break from saving the world.

Another gimmick here is the countermeasure flares discharge unit in the hips. Nice touch here and very intricately produced.

Next is the flight flaps and with the metal mesh, it gives it more details but do be gentle in handling them.

The forearm missiles is another nice touch here but putting them on and taking them off takes some patience.

Lastly, is the removable chest plate to reveal the internal mechanism of the arc reactor.

And of course, the LED display stand which is actually one of the main reasons why I want to get this. However, it did not live up to its expectation the moment I held it. It's just a display base and nothing more.

Anyway, great piece to own and if you are into Iron Man; Hot Toys never fail in this 12" category.

after some months of solitude from toy purchasing. However, old habits die hard and it the effects didn't last long when I bumped into this Cybertronian Soundwave under the TF Generations series from Hasbro. Had already been receiving pre-order emails of this under TakaraTomy release but gave it a miss.

The price tag of $16.90 was the draw then that enticed me to buy 'him' at TRU last Christmas.

Overall, the figure is very well designed and articulation is fantastic and very poseable. The only gripe I have is the colour but that's just Hasbro standards. Took out my trusty silver marker and painted the 'Teeth' on the chest of the figure to make it look less plastic.

Transformation is very simple and the alter mode is an armour truck. The chest can be opened up to store weapons; paying homage to the original Soundwave whose chest opens up for the 'cassettes'.

Great figure to own and display with. TakaraTomy version will come in a more realistic or better paint scheme and of course a more premium price-tag.

Why Alterego? A Toy Blog of what I hold dear.

Childhood lost but found through toys which a boy would have liked to own

Ego Sniper

I'm Jon Loh of Singapore and toys are a part of me I can never shake off. It's like a bad addiction that is going to be stuck with me a long long while. I'm constantly on the snipe for any toys that fancy me. As long as I like it and as long as my wallet can handle it; It's mine!